WACO, Texas - Federal and state authorities have arrested 19 individuals for their alleged roles in a methamphetamine distribution operation in the Waco area, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt; and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.
A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants include:
Name Age Residence Statutory Maximum Penalty
Rene Marquez Lopez 42 Waco 10 years to life imprisonment
Peter Nino 34 Waco 10 years to life imprisonment
Brandon Roy Stout 34 Waco 10 years to life imprisonment
Lloyd Ray Gatlin 44 Waco 10 years to life imprisonment
**Justin Rene Hernandez 31 Dallas 10 years to life imprisonment
Cruz Oviedo 26 Austin 10 years to life imprisonment
Kyle Anthony Baker 33 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Juli Jenice Aleman (aka Juli Jenice Garcia) 41 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
**Devito Dembinsky 30 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Benito Rodriguez 37 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
**Decedreon Miller 38 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Ricky Rivera 43 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Julian Rivera 39 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Shauna Gilstrap 39 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
James Leroy McMillion 54 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Brent May 55 Whitney, TX 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Sandra Oviedo (aka Sandra Cardenas) 25 Austin 5 to 40 years imprisonment
**Jesus Juan Lopez 41 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
Nicholas Charles Caufield 43 Waco 5 to 40 years imprisonment
** Already in custody prior to today
Authorities allege that since January 2017, these defendants were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Waco and surrounding areas.
During this investigation, authorities seized approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine.
All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco.
The DEA, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Waco Police Department are investigating this case. The U.S. Marshals Service and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance with today’s arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
